The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Haruna Mohammed

  • Police: no church was attacked in Anambra

    The police in Anambra State have debunked the alleged invasion of a church in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area by hoodlums.

    An online publication had alleged that suspected Umuleri boys invaded St Peter’s Church, Otoucha, attacked worshippers with machetes and killed some.

    A statement by the police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, described the report as false, mischievous, orchestrated by mischief makers, and targeted at truncating the peace in the area.

    Mohammed, however, said there was an attempted robbery in the early hours of the day at residential quarters near the church, which was foiled by the police.

    He said: “The attention of the Anambra State Police Command has been drawn to online reports that “suspected Umuleri boys invaded St Peter’s Church in Otoucha Aguleri, early this morning and sliced worshippers with machetes.

    Read Also: Eight injured in Anambra accident

    “For the avoidance of doubt, there was attempted robbery at the early hours of today (yesterday) at residential quarters near St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Otoucha, which was foiled. The command has launched aggressive manhunt for the perpetrators to bring them to justice.”

    Mohammed stressed that there was nothing to show that the incident was communal as alleged, saying no facts associated it with any community.

    He warned those circulating the inciting publication to desist forthwith as anyone apprehended would face the full wrath of the law.

    “The command also assures the citizens of adequate protection, urges them to disregard the false alarm and go about their legitimate business,” he added.

  • Man electrocuted in Anambra

    A suspected cable vandal was electrocuted on Sunday while attempting to vandalise an armoured cable at Ezinifite, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    The deceased, whose name could not be ascertained as at last night, attempted to remove the armoured cable when the wire exploded and electrocuted him.

    The installation is owned by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

    Police spokesperson Haruna Mohammed said the suspect died on the spot.

    Read Also: Wanted: More male teachers in Anambra schools

    He said: “About 7am today, there was a report at Aguata Police Station, through the vigilance commander in Ezinifite that a suspected cable vandal, whose identity is yet to be ascertained, wanted to vandalise one of their EEDC transformer installation at Ezinifite.

    “But he was unlucky as the cable exploded and electrocuted him instantly. Police patrol team, led by the DPO of Aguata division, SP Ayeni Oluwadare, visited the scene and the vandal was rushed to the General Hospital in Aguata where he was confirmed dead on arrival.

    “Meanwhile, the EEDC office was contacted, body photographed and deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.”

    Mohammed added that investigation had begun to ascertain the vandal’s identity and circumstances surrounding the incident.

  • Anambra’s missing school girl found in market

    An 11-year-old missing schoolgirl, Chinenye Ejike, has been found in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

    The victim, a native of Ama-Owelle Amansea, was said to have been found in her school uniform.

    The Nation gathered that she was wandering at the back of a timber market in the area as she was unable to locate her school or home.

    Confirming the incident, police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said efforts were on to trace her parents or guardian to reunite them with the family.

    He said: “On June 10 at 3:30 p.m, Obinna Udeogu (M) of Enugwu Ukwu brought to police ‘B’ Division in Awka, Chinenye Ejike (F), aged about 11 years, and dressed in a school uniform bearing Christ Leaders International School, Awka.

    “The victim was found wandering at the back of a timber market opposite Amazing Grace Church, Umuokpu Awka.

    Read Also: Anambra school laments insecurity, poor infrastructure

    “She was unable to locate either her school or house where she lives with her guardian, Blessing Orijafor.

    “She is dark and speaks English and Igbo languages fluently.”

    The spokesman residents with useful information that could help locate her parents to report at ‘B’ Division in Awka or call Police Control Room number 07039194332.

  • Woman abducts baby from housemaid in Onitsha church

    An unnamed woman has allegedly abducted an 18-month-old baby at a Catholic Church in Awada, Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The victim, Chibuike Ezechukwu, was reportedly stolen from a housemaid during offering.

    The Nation gathered that the suspect had pleaded with the housemaid carrying the baby to help her drop her offering, while she held the baby.

    A parishioner, who spoke in confidence, said the housemaid innocently handed over the baby to her without an inkling about the woman’s intentions.

    She said: “She offered to help her hold the child but before the housemaid returned from the offering, the woman had absconded with the baby.”

    Police spokesperson Haruna Mohammed, a Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed the incident.

    He said detectives had visited the scene, adding that efforts were on to apprehend the fleeing suspect and recover the child.

    Read Also: Woman arrested for forcing daughter into prostitution

    He said: “On the June 9 at 2:30 p.m, Mr.  Olisachukwu Ezechukwu (M) of 1 Orakwe Close, Awada, reported at Awada Police Station that on the same date at 1:40 p.m, his housemaid, Ukwuoma Ruth (F), 16, went to a church at Awada with his son, Master Chibuike Ezechukwu, 18 months old.

    “The complainant alleged that during offering inside the church, the housemaid handed over his son to a yet-to-be identified lady who sat beside her and equally gave her N100 for offering.

    “However, by the time she (the housemaid) came back from the altar to sit, she discovered that the lady had disappeared with the child.”

    Mohammed advised members of the public to be wary of the new pattern of child theft and report suspicious persons to the nearest police station for prompt action.

    “Religious leaders are equally enjoined to take adequate security measures at their places of worship to avert this type of ugly trend,” he added.

     

  • Onitsha building collapse: Police confirm two dead, three rescued

    Police in Anambra State have confirmed death of two persons in the three storey building that collapsed on Wednesday in Onitsha, the commercial city of the state.

    The police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed confirmed this in a statement in Awka.

    He said, “On 22/05/2019 at about 3pm, a building under construction located at No 9 Ezenwa Street, Onitsha belonging to one Barr. Ikebu Aso collapsed.

    “Police patrol teams and other sister agencies rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area to checkmate miscreants and criminal elements from taking advantage of the situation to loot.

    Read Also: Police smash kidnapping gang terrorising Abia

    “Meanwhile, three casualties whose identities are yet to be ascertained were rescued alive from the collapsed building and rushed to the General hospital Onitsha by the Red Cross for medical attention while two others were certified dead by the medical doctor.”

    He said their corpses had been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy, while rescue operations were ongoing.

    Mohammed added that the case was under investigation to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident.

  • Suspected robbers escape lynching in Anambra

    Two persons on Monday escaped being lynched by angry mob for attempting to rob passersby at Attah road, Nkpor in Idemili North local government area of Anambra State.

    The suspects, Chukwuma Ememke and Chizoba Obuneme, were apprehended while carrying out the act.

    The Nation gathered that they were however overpowered and beaten to stupor by the mob before the arrival of the Police.

    Confirming the incident, the Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, said a toy gun was recovered from the suspects.

    He said the case was being investigated.

    Similarly, two persons, Chijioke Okeh and Ugochukwu Nweke were nabbed for allegedly robbing a cleric at gunpoint in Nnewi, the industrial hub of the state.

    The Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, who also confirmed the incident, said all the robbed items have been recovered and had been identified by the complainant.

    Read Also: Four persons arrested over murder of Anambra ex-lawmaker

    He said, “Operatives attached to the Command Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) arrested at a criminal hideout in Oba one Chijioke Okeh ‘m’ aged 26 years and Ugochukwu Nweke ‘m’ aged 23 years, all of Uruagu in Oba.

    “Suspects had on the 25/4/2019 at about 8:15pm, robbed at gunpoint in Nnewi one Rev Fr. Chukwunonso Anosike ‘m’ of his HP Laptop, Samsung A7 phone, Fero phone, two infinix phones, one Techno phone and a power bank.”

    He said efforts were on to recover their operational weapons and would soon be charged to court.

  • Herdsmen killing: security beefed up in Anambra community

    Police in Anambra state on Monday said joint security operatives have been deployed in Mmiata, Anambra West local government area of the State following alleged herdsmen’s attack of the community on Saturday.

    The Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed who disclosed this to newsmen in Awka, said the security agencies comprised of the army, police and local vigilante.

    He also said the Command has deployed two units of mobile policemen and other regular officers to the area.

    Mohammed however disclosed that three persons were killed in the attack as against six earlier reported in some dailies.

    He said, “The Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura had ordered full-scale investigation on the incident in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.

    “We are working in conjunction with other security agencies in the operation.

    “Three persons were killed in the attack. We are on top of the situation and I can assure you that normalcy has returned to the place.”

    Read Also: Anambra most wanted criminal suspect remanded

    Mohammed was however silent over any arrest, but assured that the outcome of the investigation would be made public at the appropriate time.

    “I wouldn’t want to speak on issues that would jeopardise investigations,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the governor of the state, Willie Obiano, currently on a trip abroad, may likely cut short his trip following the attack, the Commissioner for Information and enlightenment, Mr. C-Don Adinuba has said.

    He said, “A report of the incident had been sent to the Governor who may come back to the country earlier than his scheduled date of return in view of the seriousness of the attack.”

    He urged the people of the area to remain calm; assuring that government would do everything possible to end the frequent attacks by herdsmen in the area.

    One of the residents, Mr. Orjiako Nnaluo (Ideh Anam), had told newsmen that the suspected herdsmen entered farm settlements in the area around 5:40a.m, killing people, burning houses and raping many women.

    He said, “Before we knew what was happening, six people were already dead, while about 30 were left with various degrees of injuries.”

    He said the injured were receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

    Nnaluo, who revealed that all the local farmers had fled the area following the attack, said they were still recovering from a previous attack which claimed three lives before the recent one.

    On his part, Anglican Bishop of Mbamili Diocese, Rt. Rev. Henry Okechukwu Okeke, had condemned the attack, describing it as unfortunate, obnoxious and inhuman.

    He regretted that the ugly incident would not only affect the state economy, but that of the country.

    Also speaking, Traditional ruler of Mkpunando Otu and chairman of Anambra East traditional rulers’ council, Igwe Alex Edozieuno, appealed to the state government to intervene in the settlement of herdsmen in the community.

    He regretted that their presence has continued to generate tension in the area.

    The monarch who confirmed that five people were killed and several others wounded, however added that the herdsmen claimed that some of their men were killed along with their cows.

     

     

     

  • Pregnant woman, 2 children killed in Anambra fire

    The police command in Anambra has confirmed the death of a pregnant woman and her two children in a fire at Umuoffor Village, Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.

    Mr Haruna Mohammed, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to newsmen in Onitsha on Wednesday.

    Mohammed said that the victims were at their residence when the incident occurred.

    Narrating the incident, he stated: “On March 19, at about 7:30 pm, there was a fire at Umuoffor Village, Okija, at the residence of one Maxwell Okeke.

    READ ALSO: Fire razes fabrics shop, destroys goods worth millions in Anambra

    “As a result, his pregnant wife, Mrs Nwazuru Okeke, and two children: Chidi (2) and Makuo (1) were trapped in the inferno and burnt beyond recognition.

    “Police detectives attached to Okija Division visited the scene and the fire was put off with the assistance of local volunteers in the area.

    ”Mohammed, who said the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained, noted that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Rabiu Ladodo, had ordered full-scale investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

    NAN

  • Three pupils die, five injured in Anambra auto crash

    Three school children on Thursday lost their lives while five others were seriously injured in a ghastly motor accident along Otolo/Okigwe road in Nnewi, Anambra state.

    The accident involved a sewage tanker, articulated truck, a tricycle and a motorcycle.

    An eye witness said the sewage tanker was attempting to avoid the trailer stationed along the road when he lost control and rammed into the tricycle and the motorcycle conveying children to school.

    He said irate mob immediately set ablaze the sewege truck as well as the truck fully laden with beer.

    Read Also: PDP members join APGA in Anambra

    “The most pathetic aspect of the incident is the death of the woman taking her children to school,” another witness who identified herself as Ngozi said.

    The Nation gathered that efforts by Federal Road Safety Corps officials to rescue the victims were unsuccessful as they died on the spot.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed confirmed the incident.

    He said the deceased have been deposited in the mortuary for postmortem examination, while the injured were responding to treatment.

    He said, “Police Patrol teams attached to Otolo division along with MTD Personnel visited the scene and rushed victims to Nnewi Diocesan Hospital where three victims were confirmed dead by the doctor while three others are responding to treatment.

    “However, before the arrival of the Police, the mammoth crowd at the scene of the accident who were aggrieved as a result of the accident set the vehicles ablaze.

    “The area was cordoned off to prevent further breakdown of law and order and looters from taking advantage of the situation.”

    Mohammed further said efforts were on to clear obstructions, adding that the case was being investigated to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident.

     

  • Abducted teenager rescued in Anambra

    A 13-year old boy, Emmanuel Okafor Chinecherem kidnapped in Aguluzoigbo village, Aniocha local council area of Anambra State has been rescued by the police.

    The victim was reportedly abducted last Friday by a group of six men operating in a red-coloured car.

    The Nation reliably gathered that the victim was sent on an errand by his parents when he was abducted by the gang.

    The source said the gang was heading towards Onitsha axis with their victim when they were overrun by the police.

    “On sighting the police, they immediately abandoned the boy and the car and took to their heels,” the source added.

    Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed said the victim was rescued in stable condition and had since been reunited with his family.

    He said, “At about 10pm on Friday, one Emmanuel Okafor Chinecherem ‘m’ aged 13 years was reportedly abducted by 6 men in a red car (REG No yet unknown) in Aguruzoigbo village, Aniocha L.G.A of Anambra State.

    “Following the report, police patrol team attached to Awada division pursued the suspects which forced them to abandon the boy and diffused into the crowd along Oraifite street Awada.”

    Mohammed assured that efforts were on to apprehend the fleeing suspects, adding that the case was being investigated.

    “The Command implores the general public to avail it with useful information about suspicious persons or movements by reporting to the nearest Police Station or through the Police emergency number 07039194332 for prompt response,” he said.